Wednesday, February 24, 2010

I am excited to be featuring someone I have I admired for a long time. Meet Megan.....the fabulously talented lady behind Brassy Apple. I first met Megan through eBay where I fell in love with her mosaic jeans.

Aren't they the coolest jeans? Who wouldn't want to own a pair of these?

And not only does she make the finished jeans, but she also does DIY Mosaic Jeans kits! So you can make these yourself at home!!

Another fabulous product that Megan offers is her funky and fun custom aprons.

Like I said earlier....Megan is a multi-talented lady. She also offers patterns and eBooks for her aprons and scarves.

I actually had the privilege of testing Megan's Kitschy Corset apron pattern and it was very easy to follow and she provided lots of pictures. I highly recommend her patterns!

Megan has taken time out of her busy schedule to tell us a little bit more about her and her business.

1. Please tell us about your business (i.e., how long you have been doing it, how did you get started, etc...)?

I didn't start from day one knowing exactly what my business would be all about or offer. I dabbled around for a few years finding my niche and refining my signature style. My business took off from there with my Shaggy Mosaic Jeans. What we offer in the shop has changed a bit through the years adding new items that I take an interest in. It's fun to keep things fresh, new and updated but the core remains the same!

2. Tell us a little about yourself and your family.

I call myself a "Pattern Designer by night and Mom to 4 by day!" I have been married for almost 12 years and consider myself a work at home mom. I feel blessed to be able to be home with my kids and still pursue my dreams, fulfill my own goals and stretch and develop my talents.

3. How did you come up with your business name?

I wanted something that conveyed my sense of style and bold designs - hence the "Brassy". Then it was a process of pairing that up with something that would make it complete, something I could relate too, something that would set me apart. Recalling the story about Adam and Eve from the Bible and the symbolism attached with the infamous apple, it just stuck! Brassy Apple was created - style so tempting.....it should be forbidden!

4. What goals have you set for your business for the upcoming year?

One of the goals we set was to provide 12 free tutorials on the Brassy Apple Blog this year. So far so good! We created "Tutorial Tuesday" which falls on the second Tuesday of each month and we have had a lot of fun debuting new projects. Some months we even have more than one!

Another goal was to provide more patterns and expand into girls clothing and bags. There are several mock ups in the studio just waiting for their turn to be officially drafted out and printed! We like our designs to pact a punch of unexpected design style but be easy to construct. Look for more printed patterns and ePatterns from us this Spring and through out the year!

5. What inspired you to start drafting patterns?

As a DIY-er I found myself wanting more than off the rack style. Many times I would alter an item here or there or just make it up as I went. My signature style Shaggy Mosaic Jeans became so popular I starting offering an eBook of instructions on how to create them yourself. I was bitten! I wanted to share my sense of style with other women looking for modern, unique ideas too.

It has been a journey! Lots of hours researching, learning, constructing, refining and polishing patterns and my own skills but I am grateful for the lessons I have learned and the growth I have experienced.

6. Any advice for other designers and crafters out there who are looking to start their own business?

I would say go for it! If you have a passion for something, then do it. Refine your craft and find that niche that sets you apart. Do what you love and love what you do............Carrie Miner of Puddle Jumper Shoes ones said, "It took me 5 years to become an overnight success." It's not always a fast process so make sure you are committed for the long haul.

Megan has graciously agreed to give away a fabulous product to one lucky Priddy Creations reader!!

GIVEAWAY - I would love to offer a giveaway for your readers! One lucky winner will receive a girls WILD THING or TWITTERPATED Shaggy Mosaic DIY kit + the instructional ebook! All the fabrics are precut for you! Perfect for up to a size 5 pair of jeans or possibly create two pairs of mosaic jeans on a toddler size. Have an older girl? Simply space out the fabrics more, concentrate them more at the bottom of the jeans or purchase an additional DIY kit! Your little girl is sure to be the envy of her friends!

How fabulous is that? Thank you Megan!!

All you have to do enter is visit Megan's website and come back here and tell me what your favorite item is.

And yes, yes, yes......there will be more ways to enter. For OPTIONAL additional entries, you can:

Be sure and leave a comment for EACH additional entry and include links if posting/retweeting about the giveaway. Also, please post your email address in at least one post so that I can contact you if you win!